Tim DuRoche is a jazz drummer, sound artist, and radio host based in the Pacific NW. Since moving to Portland in 2000, DuRoche has worked extensively with an array of US and European avant-garde jazz innovators, including Burton Greene, Roscoe Mitchell, Thollem McDonas, Ralph Carney, George Sams, Lori Goldston, Rich Halley, John Gross, Joel Futterman, Michael Vlatkovich, Dan Clucas, Eri Yamamoto, Dominic Duval, Damon Smith, Bill McHenry, Matana Roberts, Brandee Younger, Lonnie Holley, Carei Thomas, Paul Plimley-Lisle Ellis, Torsten Muller-Urs Leimgruber, Elliott Sharp, Jon Raskin, Perry Robinson, Phillip Greenlief, Marco Eneidi, Didier Petit, Alan Tomlinson, and Frank Gratkowski, among others. Local ensembles include Get Smashing Love Power, Battle Hymns and Gardens (with saxophonists Reed Wallsmith and Joe Cunningham, and bassist Jon Shaw of Blue Cranes), a trio with pianist-composer Ezra Weiss and bassist Jon Shaw, and a decade long association with the late bassist André St. James.

Along the way he’s worked often with poets, dance companies, installation and public art, and silent film. For 10 years, Tim hosted “The New Thing,” a weekly radio show for KMHD Jazz Radio 89.1 FM, spotlighting the evolution and revolutions of jazz and freedom since 1959. He’s also the author of Occasional Jazz Conjectures: Vagaries, misses, and meditations on the intersection of jazz & culture. Recent releases include the trio of Ezra Weiss/Jon Shaw/Tim DuRoche’s Amazing Life (PJCE Records), Johnny Miss Mae by Savage/St.James/DuRoche (Gold Lion Records), Live in Our Time by Thollem/André St James/Tim DuRoche (ESP-Disk), with Ryan Meagher’s Evil Twin (PJCE Records), Timeless Memories from Joel Futterman/Ike Levin/Tim DuRoche (Charles Lester Music), and the Kin Trio’s Breathe with Sunjae Lee and André St. James (PJCE Records).

Tim is an active presence in the cultural ecosystem of Portland, having worked for many years as a curator, writer-journalist, moderator, grants panelist, community facilitator, and consultant. Since 2010 he’s been the director of programs for WorldOregon, where’s he produced more than 500 events on global issues with world leaders, Nobel laureates, celebrated authors, and global activists.